Transparent resin plates: how to choose the correct one
Transparent resins are indeed among the most used and versatile materials used in many industries. As we have seen in our previous blog post, there are different types of transparent resins available in meviy for both sheet metals and machined plates. Each type has particular characteristics that will make your specific part fit your required needs. In this article we’ll be seeing the difference among the four main transparent resins and how they can be applied in transparent resins plates.
Transparent resin plates: materials comparison
| Material | Transparency | Low cost | Impact resistance | Heat resistance | Chemical resistance | Flame resistance | Weather resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET | 〇 | ◎ | 〇 | △ | 〇 | 〇 | △ |
| Acrylic | ◎ | 〇 | △ | 〇 | △ | △ | 〇 |
| Polycarbonate | 〇 | △ | ◎ | ◎ | △ | 〇 | 〇 |
| Polyvinyl chloride | △ | ◎ | △ | △ | ◎ | ◎ | 〇 |
◎: very good
〇: good
△: not good
Additionally, the following table shows more detailed reference values about light transmittance and ambient operating temperature for transparency and heat resistance which are important when comparing and selecting materials.
| Material | Transparency – Light transmission | Heat resistance – Operating ambient temperature |
|---|---|---|
| PET | 87% | -15～55℃ |
| Acrylic | 93% | -40～65℃ |
| Polycarbonate | 89% | -40～120℃ |
| Polyvinyl chloride | 83% | -10～60℃ |
PET
| Transparency | Low cost | Impact resistance | Heat resistance | Chemical resistance | Flame resistance | Weather resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 〇 | ◎ | 〇 | △ | 〇 | 〇 | △ |
Features
- Transparency comparable to glass
- 4 times higher impact resistance than acrylic
- No toxic fumes when burned and environmentally friendly
Common applications
- PET bottles
- Egg pack, photo film
Recommended use
- Safety covers for mass-produced equipment
Disadvantages
- Low heat-resistance
- Vulnerable to scratches
- Color might change over time
Acrylic
| Transparency | Low cost | Impact resistance | Heat resistance | Chemical resistance | Flame resistance | Weather resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ◎ | 〇 | △ | 〇 | △ | △ | 〇 |
Features
- High transparency than glass
- highly scratch-resistant
- Weather-resistant
- Easy to process
- Can be coloured
Common applications
- Water tanks
- Signs and signboards
Recommended use
- Safety covers for equipment that emphasizes aesthetics
- Displays
Disadvantages
- Low impact and chemical resistance
- Flammable
Polycarbonate
| Transparency | Low cost | Impact resistance | Heat resistance | Chemical resistance | Flame resistance | Weather resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 〇 | △ | ◎ | ◎ | △ | 〇 | 〇 |
Features
- Impact resistance 40 times higher than acrylic
- Highly temperature and weather resistant
- Transparency comperable to glass
- Self-extinguishing
Common applications
- Roofing materials for terraces
- Protective eyewear, bullet-proof glass
Recommended use
- Safety covers for equipment where the workpiece can jump outwards
- Safety covers for equipment used in high temperature environments
Disadvantages
- More expensive than other resins
- Ease of erosion from alkaline-based chemicals
Polyvinyl chloride
| Transparency | Low cost | Impact resistance | Heat resistance | Chemical resistance | Flame resistance | Weather resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| △ | ◎ | △ | △ | ◎ | ◎ | 〇 |
Features
- Highly chemical and flame resistant
- Cheaper than other resins
- Weather resistant
- Blueish tinge compared to the other resins
Common applications
- Water pipes and gutters
Recommended use
- Safety covers for semiconductor manufacturing equipments
Disadvantages
- Despite its chemical resistance, it is sensitive to organic solvents
Get a transparent resin plate with meviy
With meviy you can easily get your needed clear resin plates in a matter of just a few clicks. After uploading the 3D CAD data, meviy allows you to select the Sheet metal parts service that allows to open the 3D viewer. Here you choose among 14 types of transparent resins from the Material section.
